Booklist

Books about troublesome spirits have long been a mainstay in middle-grade collections. This entry in the Library of Ghosts and Hauntings series takes a decidedly modern tack by focusing on ghost busters. Although much page space is given to Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson, founder of TAPS (The Atlantic Paranormal Society) and stars of the TV show Ghost Hunters, Lace doesn’t skimp on history. The origins of tracking, recording, and photographing ghosts are traced back to the spiritualism movement of the 1800s; the first bona fide ghost hunter, Harry Price; all the way up to the current high-tech gadgets that assist modern-day investigators. There are plenty of shots of creepy locations (though most of them are unrelated to the text) and hunters in action, though it would’ve been nice to see at least a few of the purported images of ghosts. But Lace’s technique of ending each section with a teaser of what’s to come is effective. This is a rare topic that will enthrall horror hounds and gearheads alike. — Daniel Kraus